SPRING, Texas -- Walter Baskett just beat a three-time Olympic gold medalist, and it was caught on camera.
Just like any 16-year old who sits in front of a camera, Wally, as friends call him, fidgets like a fish out of water. The Klein Oak High School sophomore doesn’t have a driver’s license, nor does he have a girlfriend.
“No, ma’am, I just swim,” said the soft-spoken teen.
Baskett swims laps before and after school. He estimates he spends three to four hours a week in the water.
“The people around me, they just make it so much fun to swim. They make it worthwhile,” he said.
It’s hard to put value on a passion that began when Baskett was 8-years old. But Saturday, during an exhibition race on the teen’s home turf, Wally touched gold.
“I’d describe him as one of the best swimmers in our country,” said Baskett of Josh Davis. Davis earned a trio of gold medals during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
The 16-year old raced against the 43-year old Davis in a 50-yard race almost everyone thought Davis would win.
“I was just going to try and keep up with him,” Baskett said.
Baskett not only kept up with the famed swimmer, he beat him by a finger’s length.
“I kind of hit the wall and kind of just was stunned at the board. And then I just kind of did this reaction. I jumped out of the water,” Baskett said.
“It really put a big smile on my face,” said coach Laura Davis. “And, I was just so proud of him. I mean, we as coaches, we wait for those moments. This can apply to any aspect of your life. Hard work does pay off.”
Baskett has hopes of earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic swim team as soon as possible. He said of Saturday’s race, “so I’m just going to take that and use it as motivation to work harder every day.”
Davis immediately challenged the teen to a re-match. Baskett accepted and lost.